It's Sunday again...that means it's time for you to meet us at The Mount!

9:30 AM - Church School Classes for Children & Youth, Men, and Women

(Women's Class will Meet in the Sanctuary)

10:45 AM -  Worship

Join us WEDNESDAY at 12P & 6:30P

Pastor Nelson will be teaching on what it means to pray,
"Forgive us as we forgive"

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Whether you ordered the "I've Got a Testimony!" devotional or not, we want ALL members to join us in our No Complaints November Challenge. This is an invitation to shift our mindset, deepen our gratitude, and grow in faith together as a church family.

🙌🏾 How It Works

For the entire month of November, we’re committing to let gratitude guide us — even when life gets frustrating. Here’s how you can participate:

• ✋🏾 No Complaining: When you’re tempted to complain, pause and name something you’re grateful for instead.
• 🤲🏾 No Stressing: Release what you can’t control and trust God with the rest.
• 🙌🏾 No Worrying: Replace anxious thoughts with worship and prayer.
• ✋🏾 No Fearing: Lean into faith and remember that God has not given us a spirit of fear.
• 🤲🏾 No Chaos: Pursue peace in your mind, home, and conversations.

💰 Gratitude Jar Commitment

Each time you catch yourself slipping (whether it’s a complaint, a worry, or a moment of fear) drop a quarter, dollar, or any amount you choose into your Gratitude Jar (jars provided at no cost for those who purchased the devotional). Think of it as a small, tangible reminder to reframe your thoughts and as a spiritual investment in the work God is doing through our church. At the end of the month (or each week), we’ll collect the contents of our jars and use these funds to support our Be the Church outreach efforts during the holiday season where we are God’s hands and feet in our community.

✨ Why It Matters

 Each time you choose thanksgiving over complaining, worship over worry, and peace over chaos, you’re shaping your heart and strengthening our collective witness as a church. Let’s journey through November with hearts full of gratitude and eyes focused on the goodness of God.

• Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, representing about 30% of all new female cancers each year.
• In 2025, an estimated 310,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed, and approximately 43,000 women will die from the disease.
• While overall survival rates have improved, significant racial disparities persist. Black women are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite having slightly lower incidence rates.
• They are also more likely to be diagnosed at later stages and with more aggressive subtypes, such as triple-negative breast cancer, which occurs at nearly twice the rate in Black women compared to white women. Because of these disparities, annual mammograms are especially critical: they can detect cancer up to two years before it can be felt, improving treatment outcomes and expanding therapeutic options.
• Experts recommend that women begin yearly screenings at age 40 — and that Black women in particular talk with their healthcare providers about starting even earlier, especially if they have additional risk factors.
• Early detection not only saves lives but also helps close the racial gap in breast cancer outcomes.

What does SMZBC do to address the issue? Sixth Mount Zion financially supports Safe Harbor Shelter (https://safeharborshelter.com/) and the YWCA of Richmond (https://ywcarichmond.org/) both of which work to end intimate partner and domestic violence.

Check Out These Alarming Statistics from ONE QUARTER (July – September 2025) in ONE STATE (Virginia)!

Hotline Data: Number of calls to hotlines across VA: 17,422

Sheltering Data:

• There were 5,395 requests for emergency shelter, which was provided, offered, or arranged 2,776
• Number of times shelter was requested but it was full: 231
• Number of adults in shelter during the period: 1,024
• Number of children in shelter during the period: 809

Advocacy Data: Number of people served via advocacy services: 7,296

• Almost 3 of every 20 survivors had a weapon used against them (14%).
• 3 of every 20 survivors stated the perpetrator blocked or obstructed their breathing (15%)
• 1 in 10 were threatened with a firearm (10%).

As a result of the violence:

• Nearly 4 of every 20 survivors missed time from work or school (18%)
• 1 in 5 experienced a loss of income/financial security (20%)
• Nearly 2 in 10 became homeless (14%)
• Nearly 1 in 4 had to relocate (22%)

*Data retrieved via the Hotline Data and Advocacy Data reports in www.vadata.org on 10/2/2025

Accessed on October 11, 2025 - https://vsdvalliance.org/statistics-and-data/